Council urged not to waste ratepayers money on election

The by-election was set to be held to fill a vacant Glengormley seat.

A number of local residents and political representatives had claimed that the by-election would be a waste of ratepayers money.

Newtownabbey Alliance Party press officer, John Blair- who was tipped as a likely candidate should a poll be called- said: “We have all seen the low turnout in by-elections in Newtownabbey from 17 per cent to 22 per cent, so is it worthwhile the ratepayers paying the cost when the turnout is so low? Even though the outgoing member is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party, nevertheless he won the seat democratically and by the electorate.”

Mr Blair also drew attention to the fact that the Alliance Party upped its vote by 17 per cent to 39 per cent in the last election that had been held.

Newtownabbey Borough Council was set to meet to discuss the vacant seat.

A by-election was set to be called unless a replacement member, who had been nominated by the DUP was accepted unanimously.